55 – 65 cm
European Bee-Eater
Egretta garzetta
88 – 106 cm
minor concern
in the fields and wetlands
worms, insects, batrachians (amphibians)
common
When spring arrives, this bird develops much longer feathers that sprout from its head. They are ornamental and serve to show off their attractiveness during mating.
This feature almost caused their extinction in many parts of the peninsula in the 1920, as they were systematically hunted for their precious feathers and made into lady’s hats.